TTC Set to Expand Blue Night Network in September

The TTC's Blue Night bus and streetcar network, which operates nightly between 2 and 5 AM, is set to undergo a significant expansion, with several new or expanded routes entering into service in September and October of this year. For Toronto's system, which is the largest dedicated night transit network in North America, the expansion is expected to bring significant new ridership to the network, providing important service to less accessible parts of the city, and putting 99% of Toronto within a 15 minute walk of overnight bus service.

The current Blue Night network, image courtesy of the TTC

The changes are set to proceed in two stages, beginning with the addition of new routes—as well as re-numbering of some current routes—in September. The map below shows the added, modified, and re-named routes which are set to enter into service in September, with changes to the existing network highlighted in orange. New routes include a bus from Keele Station to York University (341 Keele), as well as new all-night service along the 504 King Route, set to be called 304 King during Blue Night hours.

A map of the September expansion, image courtesy of the TTC

In October, an additional set of routes will be added to the network (below), including an extension of the 300 Bloor-Danforth bus to Kennedy Station, as well as an expansion of the 352 Lawrence West route, which will now travel between Sunnybrook Hospital and Pearson Airport. All overnight services are expected to eventually operate on predictable 30 minute headways, though this goal is expected to be achieved in the longer term.

The October expansion, image courtesy of the TTC

According to the TTC, these services improvements are projected to increase overnight ridership to approximately 5.2 million over the coming year, a substantial increase from the network's current 4.7 million. A full list of route changes and additions can be found here.